Island Princess Review
Excellent itinerary, service, food and entertainment
Rating by category
Additional details
The service on the Island Princess was absolutely stellar. Everyone (wait staff, bar staff, room steward, customer service desk) we came in contact with did their utmost to make this cruise the best experience possible. I know they had help from all the folks behind the scenes too!
The food in the MDR was excellent. There were one or two items that might have disappointed me but in 15 days - lunch and dinner- that is an excellent record! The dining room is quite willing to accommodate special requests within reason. Our waiter Milan and his assistant Mark were the best ever. I have never found two people more dedicated to customer service than these two.
Club Class dining allows you to come whenever you want during breakfast, lunch and dinner service and get a table without waiting. No more rushing from excursions, flexibility to see the shows before or after dinner and you can eat dinner early then go back later for dessert. The menu is the same as the MDR. The head waiter will prepare one dish (sometimes one from the printed menu and sometimes something extra not on the printed menu) in the MDR for the CC diners. Every night this dish was always one of the best in the room.
Cabin Review
Vista Suite with Balcony
This aft facing balcony suite was perfect for the canal crossing. We stood directly above the gates as they opened and closed.
The balcony is at least 30 feet long by at least 6 -7 feet deep. Huge! Princess suites are excellent value for the money. We had over 650 sq ft of total space. The new luxury bedding is simply wonderful.
Free same day laundry, free mini bar set up (16 little bottles and 8 sodas), 2 splits of champagne on embarkation, complimentary specialty restaurant dining on embarkation day, full MDR room service, mimosa's and cooked to order full breakfast in Sabatini's, ice twice a day, canapes each evening, tea in room each afternoon, chocolate covered strawberries on formal nights, rose corsage and boutonniere on first formal night and the best new perk of all Club Class Dining.
Port Reviews
Los Angeles
Port is very convenient to many hotels and rental car agencies
Puerto Vallarta
Walk past the vans right off the ship and find a cab beyond them. They overcharge for the ride and you have to sit and wait for the whole van to fill. They tried to put me in a middle seat in the very front that was not secured at all to the floor. It was completely loose. Jeez really????
Went to the market in the Romantic Zone and sifted through the stuff made in China and found a young man from Loredo weaving baskets out of palm leaves. Excellent quality. We also like the vendors on the island in the river separating old town from the romantic zone.
Huatulco
This tourist destination has great infrastructure. It is a bit like a Mexican Disneyland in that it is all sort of fake and made up for us. But I don't really mind that. The Copalita Archeological site was a bit underwhelming, especially if you have been to Chichen Itza, but we were glad we went.
Puntarenas (Puerto Caldera)
KInd of seedy tourist area just off the dock. Safe enough to go pick up a few things, again you have to look hard to find anything actually made by hand.